This nation’s recent history with government shutdowns and holding up continuing funding resolutions to get one’s political way hasn’t been a pretty one. Typically, the party that starts making demands and refusing to keep the government going unless it gets what it wants winds up looking bad.

This week Congress needs to pass a continuing funding resolution before Saturday, or else the government will have to shut down non-essential services. Last week President Donald Trump insisted the spending bill include money for the wall along the Mexican border. When Democrats made it clear that wasn’t going to happen, Trump wisely backed down. He is anxious to get some legislative accomplishments to show that he’s been doing something besides tweeting this past 100 days. But trying to force Congress to pony up the money after insisting all through his campaign that Mexico was going to pay for the wall isn’t going to sit well with anyone.

There may be a time for a showdown over government spending and budgeting, but The Wall just isn’t it.

We hope Congress will simply keep things going without drama, without controversy and without any more games of chicken.